INDUCTION OF BETACYANIN FORMATION IN CELL-CULTURES OF CHENOPODIUM-ALBUM UNDER UV-LIGHT IRRADIATION

A cell culture of Chenopodium album was cultivated under different lig ht conditions (UV, blue, white, red light, and darkness), Red-violet c oloured betacyanin-containing cell groups were formed on the surface o f the cell culture only under UV-right or UV-containing light qualitie s (blue and white), respectively, A direct correlation exists between UV-portions of different light qualities and the number of red-violet cell groups formed, whereas light conditions without UV-light do not i nduce betacyanin formation, Betacyanins formed under UV-light were deg raded after transfer to red light and darkness, The phytohormone kinet in enhanced the betacyanin formation in white light, but was unable to induce betacyanins in darkness. The phytohormone 2,4-D totally inhibi ted the formation of betacyanins under all light conditions studied, A ll other investigated parameters of primary and secondary metabolism o f the cells (protein content, respiration activity, concentration of c arotenoids and flavonoids) only unspecifically increased in reaction t o continuous UV-light irradiation. A selected yellow coloured cell str ain autotroph to auxin was unable to form betacyanin under continuous UV-light irradiation and under increased kinetin concentration.